Begonia plant named ‘Betulia Pink’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named ‘Betulia Pink’, characterized by its compact and freely branching plant habit; double dark pink flowers; short peduncles and short pedicels; and excellent postproduction longevity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Begoniaplant, botanically known as Begonia×hiemalis, commercially known asElatior Begonia, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Betulia Pink’.

The new Begonia was discovered by the Inventor in a controlledenvironment in Ermelo, The Netherlands, in April, 1997, as anaturally-occurring whole plant mutation of Begonia×hiemalis ‘Betulia’,disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,475. The new Begonia was observed asa single plant in a group of flowering plants of the parent cultivar.The selection of this plant was based on its unique flower color andplant size.

Asexual reproduction of the new Begonia by leaf and terminal cuttingstaken in a controlled environment in Ermelo, The Netherlands, has shownthat the unique features of this new Begonia are stable and reproducedtrue to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Betulia Pink’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, daylength and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Betulia Pink’. These characteristicsin combination distinguish ‘Betulia Pink’ as a new and distinct Begonia:

1. Compact and freely branching plant habit.

2. Double dark pink-colored flowers.

3. Short peduncles and short pedicels.

4. Excellent postproduction longevity.

In side-by-side comparisons conducted by the Inventor in Ermelo, TheNetherlands, plants of the new Begonia differ from plants of the parentcultivar Betulia primarily in flower color as plants of ‘Betulia’ havered-colored flowers:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Begonia, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which more accurately describe the actualcolors of the new Begonia.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view of atypical flowering plant of ‘Betulia Pink’.

The photographs on the second sheet, from top to bottom, are close-upsof the upper surfaces of typical developing flowers, the lower surfacesof typical developing flowers, the upper surfaces of typical developingleaves, and the lower surfaces of typical developing leaves.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe plants grown in Ermelo, The Netherlands, undercommercial practice in a glass-covered greenhouse. Average day and nighttemperatures were 20° C. during the first three to four weeks thenlowered to an average day and night temperature of 19° C. untilflowering. Four weeks after planting in 12-cm containers, one week oflong nyctoperiods were given followed by short nyctoperiods of eighthours. Measurements and numerical values represent averages for typicalflowering plants.

Botanical classification: Begonia×hiemalis cultivar Betulia Pink.

Commercial classification: Elatior Begonia.

Parentage: Naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of Begonia×hiemaliscultivar Betulia, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,475.

Propagation:

Type.—Terminal cuttings.

Time to develop roots.—About 42 days with soil temperatures of 20° C.

Root description.—Fine, fibrous and well-branched; plants typically donot form tubers.

Plant description:

Plant form.—Compact; upright and rounded potted plant; freely branchingwith good stem and stem base strength. Flowers are double and abundant.Plants flower continuously.

Growth habit.—Moderate growth rate, vigorous. Suitable for 11 to 15-cmcontainers. Under optimal environmental and cultural conditions, usuallyabout 4 months are required to produce proportional 13-cm potted plantsfrom terminal cuttings. Vegetative shoots are formed at basal nodes andflowering shoots are formed at upper nodes.

Plant height.—About 17.5 cm.

Plant width.—About 23 cm.

Leaves.—Arrangement: Simple, alternate. Length: About 10.5 cm. Width:About 8.5 cm. Shape: Asymmetrical, more or less reniform. Apex:Acuminate. Base: Cordate. Margin: Doubly serrate. Texture: Glabrous.Petiole length: About 5 cm. Color, young and fully expanded leaves:Upper surface: 147A. Lower surface: 191B to 191C. Venation: 144A.Petiole: 60A.

Flower description:

Flowering habit.—Double flowers with numerous tepals arranged inaxillary cymes. Usually 6 to 10 flowers per cyme. Many cymes in flowersimultaneously. Flowering continuous.

Natural flowering season.—Plants will flower year around regardless ofnyctoperiod, however plants flower earlier and more abundantly frommid-February until November in the Northern hemisphere.

Flowers.—Shape: Rounded. Diameter: about 5 cm. Depth (height): About 2cm.

Flower buds.—Length: About 1.75 cm. Diameter: About 1.25 cm. Color: 53B.

Tepals.—Arrangement: Rosette. Shape: Rounded flabellate; apex, rounded.Margin: Entire. Quantity per flower: Usually about 16 per flower. Size:Outer tepals: Length: About 2.75 cm. Width: About 2.75 cm. Inner tepals:Length: About 2 cm. Width: About 1.7 cm. Texture: Smooth, satiny,glabrous. Color: When opening: 57A. Fully opened, upper surface: 57A.Fully opened, lower surface: 58B.

Flower bracts.—Arrangement: Two, opposite. Shape: Broadly cordate; apex,apiculate. Margin: Serrate. Color, both surfaces: 139D with anthocyanin.

Peduncles.—Angle: Erect. Length: About 4 cm. Texture: Slightlypubescent. Color: 173B.

Pedicels.—Angle: Erect. Length: About 1.4 cm. Texture: Pubescent. Color:180A.

Reproductive organs.—Stamens: None observed. Pistils: None observed.

Seed.—Seed production has not been observed as reproductive organs arenot formed.

Postproduction longevity:

Individual flowers.—Generally about 2 to 3 weeks.

Whole plants.—About 6 weeks under interior conditions.

Disease resistance: Resistance to diseases common to Begonia has notbeen determined.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named‘Betulia Pink’, as illustrated and described.